Hello

A word or act of greeting used when meeting or opening contact.

Reach for it when naming a friendly opening without prescribing one culture's greeting style

A quiet hello from the librarian helped the new child feel expected.

• playful

  hi

  very casual speech suits the relationship

  not when Hi is too informal for ceremonial correspondence or a solemn introduction.

• everyday

  greeting

  any welcoming acknowledgment is meant

  not when Greeting is broad and can be formal, physical, written, or nonverbal.

• warm

  welcome

  the opening communicates acceptance and hospitality

  not when Welcome goes beyond recognition and may not fit a brief encounter.

• professional

  acknowledgment

  recognition matters without implying friendliness

  not when An acknowledgment may be only a nod and lacks hello's opening invitation.

• formal

  good day

  polite traditional greeting is intentional

  not when Good day can sound dated, distant, or like a dismissal in some contexts.

• formal

  salutation

  the opening of a letter or speech needs a technical term

  not when Salutation is stiff for a spontaneous spoken hello.

• goodbye
• farewell
• silence

• say hello

  Visitors can say hello without interrupting the animals' care routine.

• warm hello

  A warm hello greeted each family at the community meal.

• friendly hello

  His friendly hello made space for conversation without demanding it.